Signs found posted across the Seattle neighborhood encouraged neighbors who spotted individuals lighting fireworks in the street to call the police and videotape the action. People spotting illegal fireworks should report the minor crime for the sake of “pets, infants, elderly and ill,” the sign read.

Magnolia resident Ashley Smith has no problem with the signs.

“I think they’re fine,” Smith said. “They’re just standard respect for the community. People are just worried about their homes.”

Fireworks are illegal in Magnolia and throughout Seattle. Offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. However, fireworks frequently crack and bang throughout the night on the 4th of July, and Seattle officials said every year emergency workers respond to dozens of firework injuries.

Some residents, however, don’t mind the noise makers. Emily Malone has a young toddler. But she said she wouldn’t call the cops on her next-door neighbor.

“Honestly, only if I thought it was a fire hazard and they were too close to houses or trees or something like that,” Malone said. “It’s a holiday. People area hvaing fun. It’s not that big of a deal. it’s just a couple of days a year.”

If neighbors spot someone lighting a firework on the 4th of July, police encourage them to call the non-emergency number and report the crime at 206-625-5011.

And along with the bangs, fireworks can pose a fire danger, especially after a string of hot and dry weather.

Officials are encouraging people who legally light fireworks to do so away from dry grass, leaves and pine needles.

19 comments

brian

it might be illegal to use fireworks, but I believe that it is not legal to use utility poles to post garbage. only 20 staples used per notice… the people responsible for this need to take deeper breaths. im sure they will remove their flyers and all the staples in a responsible manner after independence day.

Tati

When you come home to your house burned down due to illegal fireworks, then I'm sure you would understand why these signs were put up. The sign says, "ILLEGAL FIREWORKS." As long as "FIREWORKS ARE LEGAL, THEN MORONS WILL CONTINUE TO USE ILLEGAL ONES, AND AS LONG AS THESE MORONS CONTINUE USING ILLEGAL ONES, THEY RUN THE RISK OF LOSING THEIR PRIVILEGES OF HAVING LEGAL FIREWORKS BANNED ALL TOGETHER." GET THAT?
If you love the 4th of July then don't tolerate ILLEGAL FIREWORKS! Got it?

JoJo

Fireworks are a way of celebrating a great day, just because you don't want to hear the noise doesn't mean that you should call 911 for it, let people celebrate and enjoy the holiday! It is sad that so many places make it illegal to shoot off fireworks…so much for freedom

JoJo

Tati

Let me explain something to you. When people use legal fireworks, they use illegal fireworks as well. Just last night, in our city, a house caught on fire due to illegal fireworks. Where we live, it's like war zone. I found evidence of illegal fireworks in my backyard. And the senseless, immature, and selfish people out here using illegal fireworks may be having fun, but at the expense and risk of burning someone else's house down. These people who say, "Oh, it's ok to have a couple of days of fun," wouldn't be saying that if their child or they themselves were physically injured due to the problems that take place during the 4th of July. Plus many pets suffer needlessly during this time. Immature adults (great role models for their kids right?), start setting off illegal fireworks 2 weeks in advance through the 4th of July, and weeks after the 4th. What is scary is living amongst mindless and senseless adults who could care less about their community. The person who posted those signs CARES about safety more than having their day of mindless "fun." People who use illegal fireworks need to be prosecuted for attempted arson. How would you like your neighbors shooting illegal fireworks, one after the other, over your roof? People lack common courtesy anymore. What about my freedom to not worry that my house is going to burn down. Am I supposed to allow my house to be someone else's kindle for the sake of their "fun?"

what ever

fire works are a staple of this country for over 100 years……..if you don't like how we do things your welcome to move to Baghdad, un patriotic jerks like the people posting these flyers make this country what it is today a totalitarian POOP SHOOT ! All you people that feel the need to open your bleeding hearts to the most stupid things like this need to take a long walk off a short pier. LIGHT UM UP BOYS AND GIRLS ITS ABOUT INDEPENDENCE NOT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO ! ironic eh….

Sammy

Tati

Really? And what about my right to property? You are telling me that you have the right to shoot and launch fire rockets basically onto my roof and my property? Really? Last night a couple lost their home so someone could fulfill their jollies and shoot senseless fireworks up into the air. We'll see how you feel about illegal fireworks when you come to your house that is burned down to the ground or when someone you love has been injured at the expense of someone else's fun. People who celebrate this holiday have no respect for freedom if they are infringing upon the rights of other's property! Got that? And how "we do things" is not ok, when you are violating my property rights!

JoJo

If people are responsible and use legal fireworks bought from a licensed vendor then there should not be issues, I have seen fires cause by fireworks but I have also seen responsible adults waiting with a hose or fire extinguisher and putting it out

BILL K.

Celebrateing freedom by calling the gestapoway to go. YOU OLD PEOPLE HAD YOUR YOUTH AND EVERYTHING WAS LEGAL 20-50 YEARS AGO. JUST CUZ YOU TOO OLD TO HAVE FUN YOU GOTTA RUIN EVERYONE ELSES FUN TOO ? ALCOHOL CAUSES WAY MORE HARM TO THE COMMUNITY AND I GUARENTEE THE SAME JERKS COMPLAINING AND WASTING TAX MONEY CALLING PIGS OVER FIRECRACCERS WILL HAVE A BEER/DRINK IN HAND AS THEY SNITCH ON AMERICANS ATTEMPTING TO ENJOY TRADITION.

Ralph

Ralph

Tati

Illegal fireworks burn down houses. Do you understand that? One burned down last night in our neighborhood! Some tradition, attempted arson, bodily injury and assault, some tradition. You need real traditions so that by the time the 4th comes around you are not so pent up with so much anger that you feel compelled to burn up a bunch of money and risk other people's property in the process. Traditions and true culture help people feel tied to their humanity. People fulfilling their jollies at the sake of others is not American. It doesn't build community.